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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In my experience most techs I have run into that
work on pneumatic players are not very good at working on pianos.
Conversely, I have observed that most good piano techs have little knowledge of
pneumatic player systems. Therein lies the dilemma. Pneumatic
players are in themselves a specialty and there are so few technicians who know
how to repair or rebuild the CORRECTLY that these types of players have earned a
bad name only because there are so few around that work they way they were
intended. For the regular piano tech, pneumatic players seem to be mostly
an annoyance with marginal profitability. They either avoid them like
the plague or mis-diagnose problems. Often if the piano has a problem but
they can't see deep down yonder behind the player system and all the dust, its
easier to blame the player system. This is typically followed by something
like "sorry ma'm, I don't work on players", and off they go to their next and
more profitable client.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I was fortunate that I got started in this business
working on pneumatic players. The very first piano I worked on- <U>and</U>
rebuilt, was a 1927 Kimball pumper. I have rebuilt or repaired numerous
since then and thus I have a pretty good understanding of them. I actually
find rebuilding these rather fun and rewarding but I presently have neither the
time nor the priority given that I have so much to keep me busy as it
is. One day I would like to get serious about rebuilding these again,
particularly the more exotic coin operated units and orchestrions, (vintage, not
the ones made from old upright players and an added 'O' roll frame). In
the meantime I understand the frustration. I have seen many beautiful
pianos with quality player systems non functioning either because a piano tech
made poor so-called repairs, or blamed the player system on piano problems and
walked away because that was an easier solution.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rob Goodale, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Las Vegas, NV</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>--- Original Message ----- </DIV>
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<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=pianolady50@peoplepc.com
href="mailto:pianolady50@peoplepc.com">pianolady50@peoplepc.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>BIG question? If at least one of these
techs removed the player to look at the piano action, didn't they test it
without the player in place? Why oh why could no one else solve
this?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>GRRRRRRR.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for letting me carry on this rant. I
feel better now LOL.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Debbie</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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